People

The number one and number two leaders of the Diocese of New Westminster received honourary doctor of divinity degrees from two Anglican and Episcopal Seminaries in May.

Bishop Michael Ingham received his award from the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a leading seminary in the United States. He gave the commencement address.

The bishop was cited during the ceremony for being "at the forefront of the struggle for full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life of the Church." He was also praised for having "eloquently spoken out for the poor and marginalized in international gatherings" and "commitment to God's mission of justice, compassion and reconciliation in the Church and in the world."

His commencement address has been posted on the website and can be found here.

Dean Peter Elliott, who is an alumnus of EDS, got his honorary degree from the Vancouver School of Theology at the VST Convocation, held this year at Christ Church Cathedral, where he is rector. Decked out in VST's colourful red, gold, and blue robe, Dean Elliott was presented his award by the chair of the VST board, currently the Diocese's Executive Archdeacon, Ronald Harrison.

Elliott's citation read in part: "Peter continues to be an example to us all of courage, leadership, and excellence in liturgical renewal, communication and bridge-building."

Receiving an earned Master of Theology degree at the VST ceremony was the Rev. Emilie Smith, who recently completed an assignment at St. Francis-in-the-Wood, West Vancouver. She is currently raising money to become a Partner in Mission in Guatemala for two years. The fluently Spanish-speaking priest went to Guatemala last month for the consecration of a suffragan bishop there.

The Rev. Dr. Paula Sampson has been appointed as director of VST's Native Ministries Program and a professor of Ethics and First Nations Studies. She follows the Rev. Martin Brokenleg, who is retiring to Vancouver Island. She has worked as an Anglican priest in Alaska and northern BC.

The deacon at St. Mary's Kerrisdale, the Rev. David Taylor-God and the Bishop willing-will be ordained June 21. The Rev. Paul Guiton, rector of St. Dunstan's, Aldergrove, has been appointed by Bishop Ingham as chair of the diocesan Ministry Resources Committee, which gives him a seat on Diocesan Council.

The Rev. Adela Torchia, currently serving in the Diocese of Edmonton, has been appointed to St. David & St. Paul, Powell River, a half-time position. The Rev. Brian Vickers in August moves from the parish of St. Helen's Point Grey in Vancouver to St. Anne's in Richmond. Replacing him as Regional Dean for Granville-Point Grey will be the Rev. John Oakes of Holy Trinity Vancouver.

Receiving the Morris Saltzman award from the Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region, is the Rev. Dr. Richard Leggett, who has been co-chair of the Vancouver Jewish-Christian Dialogue for the past seven years.

Heading to Quebec is the Rev. Mavis Brownlee of St. Barnabas, New Westminster. She will be rector of the six point parish of Clarendon, northwest of Ottawa, which is based at St. Paul's, Shawville. Accompanying her will be her husband, the Rev. Graeme Brownlee, who recently retired from St. Augustine's, Marpole.